Fox Hunting 101: Need Help

[Shannonwbl]

I found one of my hens with a bald spot and a few puncture wounds today. They normally free range within an area where my dogs are able to patrol. When I found the pile of feathers within that area, I was VERY concerned that one of my dogs had gone "rouge killer".

I locked the girls up and ran an errand. When I came home and headed back out to check on them I saw a red fox (handsome fellow) trying to get into my coop. I ran out screaming at my son to "get the shotgun" but quickly realized that I would not have been able to shoot it anyway for fear of killing or injuring my hens as well (considering the shot pattern).

Can anyone give any good advise on hunting this vermin? I plan to borrow a trap, but I hear that rarely works for foxes. Will a .22 do it and is there a way to intentionally draw them in? Or has anyone had success with a trap?

 

[ivan3]

.22 will do just fine (pref. semi auto 10/15 shot model). They are brazen. Live traps are iffy (have taken one kit and one sick looking oldster in havaharts).

If you'll be home tomorrow around the time this sucker showed up today, it will probably make the rounds again. Place a chook in a havahart and sit back and wait. That should draw it into range. Just retire it before it upsets the chook.

If you've been free ranging and have a fox, it is time to stop free ranging. Our closest neighbor had thirteen Silver Laced Wyandotte pullets out for their first full day in the yard. She went in the house to cut up some grapes for them. Fifteen minutes later there was nothing but a few feathers left. A pair of foxes had carried them off and I found two piles of munched remains in the woodline seperating out properties, a couple of days later. They like to kill and then cache.

In `07, between our neighbors and ourselves, we shot 18, I took two using snares, and one using a leg hold.

 

[wanda047]

There are various Predator calls on the market which might help draw him in. Check out your local sporting goods store. Of course, it might also bring in coyotes, and other predators. These predator calls imitate an animal in distress.

Will a .22 work? sure. Just make sure your shot placement is right on.

You might try trapping the fox. But if you have pets, they might be in danger of getting in the traps themselves. But before you do anything, check with you local game and fish commission and see what the laws are. They may also have other suggestions to eliminating your predator.

 

[yotetrapper]

You'd need a foot hold trap. Since you live in TN, it would need to have padded jaws. I hate padded jaw traps, but they will work fine for what you need. Dig a hole in the ground, about 3-4" in diameter, at an angle. Throw some meat in there, and some feathers. Bury the trap in front of the hole. You only want about 3/8" of very fine dirt over the pan, no clumps. A google search of dirt hole set should show you some pictures of how to do it, or go the trapperman.com forums for more instructions. You should oughta be able to buy a trap at a farm store for $8-$12 dollars.

 

[IDIOT HUSBAND]

At this time I have jury duty with a trapper. I told him what I was doing and he told me for foxs and cyotes a snare trap in a fence row (especialy in corners) works very well. you will see a trail where they are coming under a fence. set the snare there.

 

[Shannonwbl]

Good morning Backyard Chicken people! Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I posted before I went to bed and waking up to see all your suggestions I am re-energized and ready to "get him". I need to wait until my game and wildlife agency opens to get some clarity on the laws, but then it is GAME ON!

I am really sad to keep my girls locked up. I so enjoy seeing them wander around our place. We had trouble a while back with a neighbors dog but since my pointed threat via letter we haven't seen that dog around any more. It seems that the law is very clear that I can shoot a dog that harasses my chickens and that warning was enough to keep the dog locked up. Do you think foxes can read?

Dear Mr. Fox,

If you insist on continuing to harass, de-feather or otherwise threaten my chickens I will be forced to place a bullet in your gorgeous red pelt then use it to wipe my feet.

Sincerely,
Chicken Mom with Attitude

 

[mmtillman]

The problem with foxes is , if you saw one , then you probally have an entire family ...we have up to 8 at a time living behind us in the old neighbors barn!!

I could not kill a fox. Cant see killing one when there may be dozens more around...... would relocate instead, if we caught it.
As far as my battle with the foxes goes....I just keep my dog near my girls in the run when I am not home and keep a closer watch when I am home. A dog is probally your best deterrent. Our run is not critter proof yet...but will be this time next year!

 

[Shannonwbl]

Quote:
Unfortunately, my three good sized dogs were not much help.


Update:

I just spoke with a nice man at the wildlife agency. He gave me the green light to "exterminate" the fox, and even took my name and number and is calling our local game warden to let him know that I have approval in advance incase anyone raises eyebrows. When I told him that I would prefer to catch it in a live trap and move it he said I cannot do that. I don't relish the idea of killing it, but it doesn't look like there are too many options. I sort of feel like I have a license to kill.

Thanks again to everyone! Wish me luck!

 

[Chicken Fruit]

A .22 will take out a fox just fine if you're close enough and get a clean headshot.

I'd probably sit out at night and wait for it. Likely it'll be out at night too.